“You… You complete me!”
(The Joker to Batman in The Dark Knight)
Season 3 of TV’s favourite serial killer was overkill with a lot more tear-jerking moments. Coming into the season, one would wonder what was to become of the scariest couple on TV. Simple answer – what the f*%£?
The season began with what you would expect from a couple that recently got hitched and were expecting – slow, bliss and the suburban dream for anyone who wants to get married and settle down in a great neighbourhood with high-quality schools, and a lovely community. But not Quinn-Goldberg. What was Joe’s impulse quickly became Love’s impulse all in the name of love.
I was thrown back by Love’s actions as it felt unnecessary but 9 episodes later she said something so powerful it made me realise this season isn’t about You, it’s about me. In relationships, we try to do what’s best for our partners even if the price is high hoping that the end will justify the means. But in doing so, we uncover our own issues and in some instances, we sacrifice ourselves for them.
Love’s story arc was oceanic deep. Her actions at the end of season 2 were misunderstood as all she was doing was protecting Joe. As a mother, business owner, only child and a wife to a violent husband, the best side of Love came out as she struggled to find who she was and what her role was to a husband who only kept her alive because she bore his child. She was lost and only at the end (having trapped her best friend and her husband in the box, knocked out her teenage lover with a fire extinguisher, drugged and paralysed her husband, falsely lured her cheating husband’s crush to her death) did she finally understand what she had to do to be herself again.
Joe genuinely tried to be different and it was commendable as this time, his actions meant more. But he had a lot of demons to overcome and in his marriage, he realised that he was who he was because of mummy issues. Having seen his mother being abused for far too long, Joe, as a child, decided to do something about it but he got punished for it. Left as an orphan and having developed a new “mother” in the orphanage’s nurse, his new mother was being abused by her lover and he chose not to do anything about it, and yet, he got punished for it. Fast forward to the present day, be it action or inaction, he still gets punished.
Joe learnt more about Love as the season progressed and it was great to see. I believe it’s important to know your partner. It’s a pity lives had to be lost for Joe to know who Love is but eventually, we got there. Love really knew Joe (“hakuna matata” has a whole new meaning for me now) and it showed the depth of their relationship. As violent, bloodthirsty, manipulative and caring as they were, they knew the dark side of each other even though they carried secrets, but for Joe, Love had taken it too far.
So how then is it a “it’s not you, it’s me” situation?
Love was extremely impulsive. Joe was overly protective. Love violently removed the threats to her marriage. Joe would do anything to protect the person he loves. Love killed for Joe. Joe killed for… You. Each of their flaws were expressed in a relatable manner and their flaws were deep and explosive, making it not about their partner but more of themselves. For example, watching Love and Forty have a tearful heart-to-heart after an alcoholic binge felt normal, as Forty helped Love figure out who her soulmate was. Another example was Joe entering Marianne’s work into the illustration competition without her knowledge as he believed her talent needed to be showcased.
Joe and Love showed how they expressed love, what they brought to the table and how they wanted to be perceived in their relationship. It was beautifully chaotic with a splash of scary. Is this a reflection of human relationships?
The only question then remains is – will Joe ever find true love? Or will his childhood trauma and lack of adult relationship role models continue to define who he is?
Out of curiousity, who do you feel is Joe’s true You:
Candace Stone
Delilah Alves
Guinevere Beck
Love Quinn
Marianne Bellamy
